We have been dreaming about staying at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore from the moment it was built, but I never could justify the expense! During our recent trip to SG for our 1st wedding anniversary, we decided to blow the budget and tick this off our bucket list! We booked an over night at the Marina Bay Sands. Did it live up to the hype? Or is this hotel overrated?
The Location
The Marina Bays Sands Hotel is in the perfect location. The Bayfront MBS is directly by the hotel so exploring Singapore is easy. It is attached to a shopping plaza, casino and the stunning Gardens by the Bay which made it perfect to get around on foot, like we did. Normal taxi’s and Uber are also readily available.
The Hotel
Boasted the most innovative and modern design we had ever seen in a hotel. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property in the world at S$8 billion. What is Marina Bay Sands?
- 57-storeys high
- 2,561 luxury rooms
- triple towers joined by the world’s biggest cantilever roof by a huge ‘ship’ platform that serves as a resort
- 1,300,000 square foot convention and exhibition centre
- 800,000 square foot “The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Mall” which contains the iconic ArtScience Museum
- 2 large theatres (for plays such as The Lion King)
- 7 celebrity chef restaurants
- 2 floating crystal pavilions
- an ice skating rink
- the world’s largest atrium casino
The complex is topped off by a 340-m long SKYPARK with a 150m Infinity Pool and an Observation Deck overlooking the city.
Check-in
Check-in time is at 12PM. The line was about 15 minutes and welcome drink and ice cream were served. The front desk was friendly and gave us a hotel map. The concierge took care of our suitcases and they arrived shortly in our room.
Service
We didn’t really find ourselves needing to use customer service at all during our stay. Singaporeans are friendly and we made friends with some local workers and all the staff were more than happy to tell us the local spots to visit and how to walk to Gardens By The Bay.
The Room
We booked a Deluxe King Garden View which was situated on the 25th floor in Tower 3. August was a peak season for SG and we paid SG$788 (Php29,600) for a night inclusive of buffet breakfast for 2.
For the money we paid, I’d honestly say that we’ve stayed in nicer rooms for half the price or less! But what made the Marina Bay Sands worth the money was the spectacular and priceless view from our balcony- overlooking the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and of course, the infinity pool.
If you are thinking of staying here, it’s more likely for one reason, THE INFINITY POOL! Which itself can justify a purchase in many travelers to get that memorable photograph. I just really wanted to swim on top of the world kaya pikit-mata namin itong tinuloy! 😀
Included in the room was standard amenities such as fridge, shower (no bath tub) toilet (no bidet! unbelievable!) and cable television. Internet connection was fast.
The Food
Our buffet breakfast was served in Spago, one of the 7 restaurants in the hotel that’s located at the pool area. The bacon was superb, it melts in your mouth! Ysha enjoyed the pancakes and sausage too.
For me, there was a small selection of usual breakfast for a buffet. Though there’s a wide range of dining options including Chinese, modern asian, indian, italian and more. The restaurants at the hotel are quite pricey.
The Infinity Pool
Located on the 57th floor within the Skypark and is the largest in the world at 150 metres. It is open from 6AM to 11PM. The pool was busy both at night and during the day. Your room key card gives you access to the Skypark.
If you are not staying at the hotel you cannot access the pool but you can visit the Observation Deck at SG$23 (Php860) for adult and SG$17 (Php640) for children 12 years and below.
The Infinity Pool is as impressive as we expected and is even more breath-taking than the pictures online! The water was surprisingly cold.
I was a bit nervous swimming to the edge because the water goes to the very edge of the rooftop, you literally feel like you are swimming towards the skyline! But when you look over the edge, it is not a sheer drop because there’s a safety ledge so I didn’t freak out.
We have never experienced anything as spectacular as this pool! It is one that hotels will need to try very hard to top.
Check-out
Check-out was at 11AM, the concierge service was efficient and smooth. We asked for a taxi which arrived promptly. Taxi costs around $20 to the airport.
Conclusion
Was the Marina Bay Sands Hotel worth the expense?
Our one night stay here will be one of the best nights of our lives! We will be talking about it fondly when we talk about our past family travels.
Overall, we feel like staying at the Marina Bay Sands made our trip unforgettable and an experience we will always cherish. We’re so happy to finally cross this off our bucket list!
TIPS!
- Book off peak because Peak Season (Aug/Dec) costs around SG$200 (Php7,500) more than regular over night rate! It just happened that our anniversary is at August and we already booked our flight to SG!
- Get there earlier and enjoy more time in the pool.
- Be sure to visit the pool both during the day and the evening as it is a very different experience.
- Better to order ala carte for breakfast than pay the buffet for SG$67 (Php2,500) each.
- The Bay area is a hub of it’s own and an expensive one at that. If you want to eat or shop in the bay area, expect to pay quite a lot.
- There are taxis that are limos and costs more expensive so don’t just ask for a taxi, always ask for a normal taxi and don’t get in before you check this.
- If you’re traveling with a kid, Uber doesn’t give you a ride unless you have a child car seat (it’s on SG law) which of course travelers won’t bring!
- Note that everything in Singapore has 10% service tax and GST 7% total so the price you see is not always about what you pay, it is always 17% more. Always check the total.
- If you are finding it hard to fit the Marina Bay Sands into your budget, we still recommend staying at least one night to experience the infinity pool. It’s hard to explain the marvel of swimming above the city, you have to experience it for yourself!
Watch our Marina Bay Sands vlog on our YouTube Channel!
Have you stayed at the Marina Bay Sands? Is it also on your bucket list? Leave a comment below.
Love,
Mommy Nish
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